The modest gift JFK gave to the Queen during their only meeting

President John F. Kennedy meet Queen Elizabeth once, at a dinner in 1961.

And with him he brought a gift, as is custom when visiting a British royal.

The then-American President gave the Queen a signed portrait of himself.

Image: Royal Collection

It was fancier than it sounded.

The portrait was placed in a Tiffany & Co silver frame and is now on display as part of the annual Buckingham Palace summer exhibition showcasing the more than 250 gifts that have been presented to the Queen during her impressive 65-year-reign.

JFK's portrait is signed, "To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with appreciation and the highest esteem, John F. Kennedy."

In comparison, President Barack Obama gave the Queen and Prince Philip valuable carriage driving "bits" knowing Prince Philip is an avid driver.

Also in the exhibit is a gilded Australian State Coach given to the royals in 1988 and a bag of salt from the British Virgin Islands.

The most valuable gift in the display is a piece called The Queen's Cup, a Steuben Glass creation given to Queen Elizabeth by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower during her first American visit in October of 1957.

Obama's gift of carriage driving "bits". Image: Royal Collection

Exhibit curator Sally Goodsir told PEOPLE there's an important reason JFK's gift to the Queen was so modest.

"Because Kennedy came to dinner and not on a state visit, that would be the level of gift that would have been considered appropriate," Goodsir explained.

A more official visit between the British royals and the Kennedy's was being planned, however the US president was assassinated two years later in 1963 before it could take place.